BENITO RANGEL DE MARIA
ARTIST STATEMENT “Through the act of mark making, construction and deconstruction with varied media, I am developing a system of symbols that brand ideas of who we are, who we want to be, and how we want to be perceived. Working primarily on paper, my work explores aspects of identification focusing on the actions and process that we use to define ourselves and document our surroundings. By creating works that juxtapose our similarities and differences, I encourage the viewer to see beyond the limitations of the physical.”
BLAZE SERIES Inspired by “blazing,” the historic practice of marking routes through the wilderness, the Blaze series utilizes markings as navigational tools that aid and show direction. Comprised of crosses, circles and bands, these markings, or “blazes”, encourage further exploration, intersecting boldly in undefined environments that pave new paths. This series is a natural progression to my Tribe series, which focuses on the marking of the individual.
TRIBE SERIES Through the act of mark making, construction and deconstruction, Tribe examines the physical qualities of who we are, who we want to be, and how we want to be perceived. By applying alternating layers of acrylic and watercolor and working with stickers and tape, initially placed, then painted on, then removed, I create markings that reveal a new working structure. Layers composed of mixed media, at times with graphite, at times with oil, wax or acrylics, invite viewers into a world constructed with intention to reveal a system of symbols that brand and reflect our desire to distinguish ourselves individually, yet be part of a larger group.
MICROCOSM SERIES The Microcosm Series reflects the many layers that make up our society. These layers include geographical and psychological qualities that are found all around us. Dependent on an urban structure of pipes, chain link fences and sewing needles, these works use the language of infrastructure to support the magical links of light, glass, and colors of a chandelier. These works use an integration of layered images connected with wax, a substance that replicates our own transparent and transitory qualities.
BLAZE 196 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, correction tape, india ink on paper 14 X 14 inches (artwork), 18 x 18 (framed), 2014
BLAZE 197 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, correction tape, india ink on paper 14 X 14 inches (artwork), 18 x 18 (framed), 2014
BLAZE 198 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, correction tape, india ink on paper 14 X 14 inches (artwork), 18 x 18 (framed), 2014
BLAZE 199 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, correction tape, india ink on paper 14 X 14 inches (artwork), 18 x 18 (framed), 2014
BLAZE 200 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, correction tape, india ink on paper 35.75 X 35 inches (artwork), 40 x 40 (framed), 2014
BLAZE 202 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, correction tape, india ink on paper 36 X 38.75 inches (artwork), 40 x 43 (framed), 2014
BLAZE 203 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, india ink on paper 20 X 30.75 inches (artwork), 22 3/4 x 1/4 (framed), 2014
BLAZE 206 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, correction tape, india ink on paper 35.25 X 55.5 inches (artwork), 40.25 x 59.75 (framed), 2014
TRIBE 175 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, digital component on paper 35.5 X 72 inches (artwork), 35.5 X 72 inches (framed) 2013
TRIBE 176 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, digital component on paper 35.5 X 72 inches (artwork), 35.5 X 72 inches (framed), 2013
TRIBE 177 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, digital component on paper 35.5 X 72 inches (artwork), 35.5 X 72 inches (framed), 2013
TRIBE 180 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, digital component on paper 35.5 X 72 inches (artwork), 35.5 X 72 inches (framed), 2013
TRIBE 182 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, digital component on paper 35.5 X 72 inches (artwork), 35.5 X 72 inches (framed), 2013
TRIBE 185 acrylic, watercolor, graphite, digital component on paper 35.5 X 72 inches (artwork), 35.5 X 72 inches (framed), 2013
MICROCOSM 158 mixed media on paper, mounted on board 40 X 40 x 2 inches (artwork), 48.25 x 48.25 x 2.5 inches (framed), 2008
MICROCOSM 159 mixed media on paper, mounted on board 40 X 40 x 2 inches (artwork), 48.25 x 48.25 x 2.5 inches (framed), 2008
MICROCOSM 161 mixed media on paper, mounted on board 40 X 40 x 2 inches (artwork), 48.25 x 48.25 x 2.5 inches (framed), 2008
MICROCOSM 155 wax, watercolor, tape, mixed media on paper 41 X 41 inches (artwork), 49.25 x 49.25 inches (framed), 2008
MICROCOSM 163 wax, paper, tape, mixed media on paper mounted on board 29 X 60 inches (artwork), 2013
BIOGRAPHY From a young age, Benito Rangel de Maria was set on a path that interweaved disparate cultural and geographical boundaries. While he was born in Michoacan, Mexico in 1970, Benito grew up in a Latino neighborhood in Chicago bordered by pockets of diverse ethnic cultures that ultimately influenced his outlook on the world. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from Lake Forest College in Chicago, IL, with a concentration in printmaking with a focus on monotypes. Although he experimented with various media while earning his degree, Benito always returned to working with paper and ink. During that time, Benito’s work was strongly influenced by the powerful yet intimate works on paper of American artist Helen Frankenthaler. He also had the opportunity to study abroad, initially in Paris advancing his fluency in French and knowledge of Art History, followed with an internship at Sotheby’s in Madrid. After graduation, he was invited to intern at The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy. Daily practices of studying the museum’s permanent collection in order to support his various docent duties surrounded him with an incomparable breath of knowledge and a top-notch community of international colleagues and institutions. It was here where Benito formed an inspirational connection with the work of Rufino Tamayo and Joseph Cornell. Tamayo’s Heavenly Bodies presented pre-Columbian imagery with European Modernism within the unlimited boundaries of the universe. Simultaneously, Benito was juxtaposing Tamayo’s work with that of Joseph Cornell, whose box constructions housed concepts of travel and voyage. For Benito, Cornell created a complete universe within the physical limitations of his basement studio. From his treasured time in Venice, Benito followed a westward call to Lugano, Switzerland. It was there that he joined the ARCH Foundation where he coordinated conservation and restoration projects including efforts in St. Petersburg, Russia and Dubrovnik, Croatia. While the scholars and artifacts of those projects provided another priceless experience, Benito’s mind was fully engaged in ideas of cross contemporary cultures as he traveled from one border to another. The notions of physical boundaries highlighted memories of the borders he and his family had crossed years ago. His desire to further explore these issues artistically brought him back to the United States, landing a new home in Seattle, Washington. Determined to support his studio practice while keeping a foot in the broader art world, Benito founded Monarch Contemporary, a fine art gallery and studio that functioned as an outlet for his artistic and curatorial endeavors. Here his studio practice launched forward with his first solo show at Gallery 110 in Seattle and group shows from Portland to Miami. Recently, his work was part of juried group exhibitions at the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art.
BENITO RANGEL DE MARIA
Born in Michoacan, Mexico 1970. Currently lives and works in San Francisco, CA
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Arts Degree, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL 1994 Studentship at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice, Italy 1995-1998 Conservation/Resoration Program Coordinator at ARCH Foundation, Lugano, Switzerland 2009-2012 Director and Curator, Monarch Contemporary, Seattle, WA
AWARDS
2014 Fall National Juried Exhibition, Juror Curator of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Betti-Sue Hertz, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Marin MOCA, Novato, CA 2014 Small Works Exhibit, Juried Exhibition, Juror Critic Alan Bamberger, Art Works Downtown Gallery, San Rafael, CA 2014 ArtSlant Showcase Winner Round #5 of the 2014 Showcase competition cycle, Mixed Media 2008 My Space, Juried Group Exhibition, Juror Suvan Geer, SCA Project Gallery, Pomona, CA
EXHIBITIONS
2014 Inside Out, Juried Exhibition, Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland, OR 2013 ACE 2013, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA 2013 (re)form, Solo Show, Monarch Contemporary, Palm Springs, CA 2012 Refraction, Solo Show, Monarch Contemporary, Palm Springs, CA 2010 Constant Motion, Monarch Contemporary, Seattle, WA 2008 Microcosm, Solo Show, Monarch Studio, Seattle, WA 2008 “And the Winner Is…”, Group Show, Sonnenshein Gallery, Lake Forest, IL 2008 Immigration USA, Group Show, NSCC Art Gallery, Seattle, WA 2008 Emerging Artists, Group Show, D’Adamo Woltz Gallery, Seattle, WA 2007 MECHANICA, Solo Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, FL 2007 Group Show, Blackfish Gallery, Portland, OR 2007 Cheer, Group Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA 2007 Interstate 5, Group Show, Portland Art Center, Portland, OR 2007 Pulp.2, Group Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA 2007 Ibero American Art, Ibero American International Gallery, Miami, FL 2006 Brighter!, Juried Group Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA 2006 Pulp, Group Show, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA 2003 Fingerhut Gallery of Edina, Group Show, Minneapolis, MN 2003 Gallery Artists Group Show, Visual Arts, Minneapolis, MN 2002 Fingerhut Gallery of Edina, Group Show, Minneapolis, MN 1998 Latin American Art, Sonnenshein Gallery, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL
PUBLICATIONS
- PUNTO i COMA, Chicago, IL, Feb 2014 Issue, Interview by Soydeth Avila “TRIBE.” - ACE 2013 Exhibition Catalog, Palm Springs Art Museum, November 2013, Palm Springs, CA - PREVIEW Gallery Guide Magazine, Seattle, Jan/Feb 2010 Issue, Review by Allyn Cantor of “Constant Motion,” p 86. - Ibero American International Magazine, Miami, FL, Fall 2007, Review of “Microcosm” series, p 18. - Ibero American International Magazine, Miami, FL, Spring 2007, Review of current work in Contemporary Art section, p 31. - OneShot 2006, Visual Codec, Seattle, WA. Publication included “AutoMotion” among Top 100 artworks chosen for this juried book.
CONTACT
Zener Schon Contemporary Art 23 Sunnyside Avenue Mill Valley, CA 94941 www.zenerschongallery.com info@zenerschongallery.com https://www.facebook.com/zenerschon Tuesday - Saturday 11am-6pm Sunday 12-4pm By Appointment (415)738-8505